Kevin Mills is a C-6 quadriplegic who sustained his spinal cord injury in 2009 and is now on a journey across Canada using a modified manual wheelchair.
He and his team are working to establish a biking route across the country that will be accessible for all levels of ability. They want to show that a trip of this magnitude is possible for all levels of ability, illustrating that accessible recreation and activity are possible for all.
We caught up with Kevin at Victoria Hall in Cobourg on his way to his hometown of Newmarket where he’ll take a break for a couple days with family.
For Kevin, hand-cycling has become an integral part of his life for both his physical and mental health.
In order to promote activity-based therapy, accessibility, and inclusivity for those with disabilities Kevin and his best friend, Neuro-Recovery trainer, and biking buddy – NikkiD are cycling across Canada.
Kevin Mills calls himself a quadriplegic pedaling accessibility across Canada.
Mills started his cross-country journey at Cape Spear with his cycling partner NikkiD.
So far they’ve covered about a third of distance.
Mills is hoping to showcase how important staying active after any injury can be to improve all aspects of health – mental, emotional, and physical.
For Kevin, staying active after his spinal cord injury filled a hole in his life.
Together with NikkiD, they’re taking on 74-hundred kilometre bike ride from coast to coast.
Kevin has a real appreciation for those who’ve gone before him.
Mills hopes his ride will show others how to be confident, and feel safe to bike with a disability. He’s working to create an accessible route across the country while being as transparent as possible about the challenges, obstacles, and hurdles faced during the development of the route.
Kevin’s ride started back in May, and is completely funded in large part by donations. To make help him on his journey or to track he’s at, visit pedalingpossibilities
Written by Joseph Goden